After alleged assault at last year's festival, Israeli group pulls out of Saint John Culturefest

Anti-Israel protesters disrupted last year's event, with one individual being arrested for assault and another for obstruction of justice.

Sheila Gunn Reid
  |   July 30, 2026   |   News Analysis   |   3 Comments

 

source: Facebook / Culture Fest Saint John

An Israeli community group has withdrawn from this weekend's Saint John International Culturefest, citing safety concerns after last year's event was disrupted by a pro-Palestinian protest that ended in arrests and an alleged assault.

"We don't feel safe to participate," Esti Barlevy of NB Israeli Community Inc. told the Telegraph-Journal, saying organizers failed to address security concerns following the 2025 incident.

During last year's demonstration outside the Israeli booth, police arrested one youth for assault and one man for obstruction of justice. A 45-year-old Saint John man has pleaded not guilty to an assault charge and is awaiting trial.

Festival organizers say a security plan is in place and police confirmed officers will be present throughout the event. However, Barlevy said her group chose not to return.

Pro-Palestinian activists have opposed Israeli participation, arguing Israel should not be represented while the war in Gaza continues. Protest organizer Jeff Houlahan said he intends to demonstrate peacefully if an Israeli booth returns.

Barlevy said criticizing a foreign government is legitimate, but excluding Canadians from a multicultural festival because of their heritage amounts to discrimination.

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Sheila Gunn Reid

Chief Reporter

Sheila Gunn Reid is the Editor-in-Chief, Alberta Bureau Chief, member of the board of directors, and host of The Gunn Show at Rebel News. Sheila also serves as President of the Independent Press Gallery of Canada. A mother of three and longtime conservative activist, Sheila is the author of bestselling books, including her most recent release, Independence Blueprint: What Alberta Can Learn From Quebec.

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COMMENTS

Showing 3 Comments

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  • Fran g
    commented 2026-08-01 10:44:27 -0400
    I agree with Ruth and Bruce. Jews must take their power back which they fully deserve. They should be proud of being a Jew and a Canadian, dont let them horrible people win.
  • Bruce Atchison
    commented 2026-07-30 22:00:15 -0400
    Ignoring Islamist terrorism is enabling the disintegration of our culture.
  • Ruth Bard
    commented 2026-07-30 21:51:19 -0400
    By staying away they’re giving the Philistines exactly what they want.